STOCKHOLM -- Scientists are studying spacecraft images to find out whether
a small part of Comet ISON survived its close encounter with the sun.

The comet at first seemed to have fallen apart as it approached the sun's
sizzling surface, but new images Friday showed a streak of light that some said
could indicate it wasn't game over just yet.

U.S. Navy solar researcher Karl Battams wrote on his blog that "it does
appear that at least some small fraction of ISON has remained in one
piece." He cautioned that even if there is a solid nucleus, it may not
survive for long.

The European Space Agency, which had declared ISON's death on Twitter late
Thursday, was backtracking early Friday, saying the comet "continues to
surprise."